My family’s travels take us to lots of exotic places, but plenty of the travel we do is close to home. Home for me is Alameda, California, a small town of about 70,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area. I like to joke that we are “an island off the coast of Oakland,” and …
This post is the second in a series examining all the details of various airports from a family travel perspective, with a special eye to the challenges that parents of babies, toddlers, and young kids face. Today’s focus is Oakland Airport (OAK), which serves as a great alternative to SFO for families looking to visit …
Winter is in full swing and the slopes are open! If you are preparing to take your kids on a Lake Tahoe ski vacation, there are a lot of resorts to choose from. Here is a guide to the major Tahoe ski resorts with kids, with information to help you make a family-friendly and budget-friendly choice. Important Features …
This post is part of a series by bloggers around California to visit and explore the California missions with kids. The 21 Spanish missions in California were established by the Catholic priests of the Franciscan order between 1769 and 1833. These religious and military outposts were designed to be a day’s walk from each other, …
Just north of its better-known California wine country cousin, Napa, is the small resort town of Calistoga. My husband and I recently had the chance to visit Calistoga for a weekend getaway to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. We had a relaxing time staying at the historic Indian Springs Resort, known for its geothermal heated pool, …
San Francisco is a very popular destination for family travel. With kid-friendly attractions, excellent food, and moderate weather, family travelers flock to the Bay Area year round. Casual tourists are sometimes unaware, however, that the Bay Area is served by three major airports: San Francisco (SFO), Oakland (OAK), and San Jose (SJC). Many travelers, including locals traveling to …
Near the end of my pregnancy with Baby #2, my family took a quick overnight trip down the coast to Monterey. Monterey is a great day or weekend trip from the San Francisco Bay Area, and has lots to do for kids as well. Here are the highlights that make it a great destination when …
One of my husband’s childhood friends got married a few weeks ago in Boonville, California, so the whole family made the short trip to Mendocino County for a weekend getaway. We found Mendocino County to be a great road trip for little ones. The drive from the San Francisco Bay Area is reasonable (about 2-3 …
Lest you think this blog is all about luxury cruises and business class tickets to Europe, I’ve decided it’s time to get back to reality and the way my family usually travels 99% of the time. Here’s another post in my ongoing series “NorCal Road Trips,” highlighting destinations perfect for a day trip or weekend …
Much of my travel with my kids is by plane. But when my family takes a road trip, one of our favorite destinations is Lake Tahoe. Located just a few hours from our home in the San Francisco Bay Area, it is perfect for weekend getaway. In winter, the skiing opportunities are endless. My family has a …